Doctors Verbatim On Health Care Reform

In this final installment of our eight-part series on how doctors feel about health care reform, we pass on the reasons given for supporting or opposing the government's plans.

All told, 1,376 practicing physicians responded to our questionnaire mailed Aug. 28. Nearly 65% opposed government proposals then under consideration, and 33% were in favor. Two percent didn't answer.

Two-thirds of the reasons cited for opposing the government's plans fell into four categories. Twenty-four percent were directed at the government itself  that it has a poor record in running major programs, for example, or that it would interfere too much in the doctor-patient relationship.

Another 16% cited the proposals' cost and the impact on the federal deficit and debt. Each of two other concerns garnered 14%  quality of care and a lack of limits on physicians' exposure to malpractice lawsuits.

Seventy-two percent of the reasons in favor of reform also fell into four categories. A too-long-neglected need to cover uninsured and underinsured Americans was cited by 22%. Seventeen percent simply said health care is a right, not a privilege.

Another 17% said the current system either doesn't work or is "unsustainable," and that any system would be better. Sixteen percent said reform is needed to make insurers more accountable and competitive.

We begin the list here with the first response received:

1. Oppose: I oppose socialism in all its forms and incarnations. Get the government off my body! Government should be shrunk drastically, not expanded!

3. Oppose: Poorly thought out. Very limited access to primary care currently. Can't imagine how limited access and resources would be if everyone's insured. Not enough doctors! Also would unfairly distribute the loss to those already paying for health care.

4. Oppose: Too much government interference. Stupid politicians.

5. Oppose: The government should try to fix only what is broken.

6. Support: Insurance companies already ration care and limit access. Insuring the uninsured will save money. A public option will provide a "transparent" bureaucracy that doctors and patients will at least have a chance of dealing with.

7. Oppose: No tort reform.

8. Support: We are all one serious illness away from losing our current standard of living. If people are too ill to work, or if they are laid off, they lose their employer-based benefits. Every American has the right to universal health care.

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